Many people I meet admit they've always wanted to
write a book, but for whatever reason haven't yet made it a reality.
Some
try to strong arm me to do it for them. When I explain (as politely as possible)
I have more story ideas than I will ever use and that only they can truly write
their story, the excuses begin.
Ultimately,
it boils down to one thing. The passage of time.
"Isn't it too late?" they ask.
NO! Never.
Susan
Boyle is the reigning queen of late bloomers. She promised her mother to follow
her dream and found the strength to walk across that stage.
She ignored the giggles
and snickers and catty comments about her dowdy hair and matronly attire. And when she opened her mouth and
belted out a song that brought tears to eyes around the world, she became an overnight sensation.
There's
nothing shabby about being a late bloomer.
The release of my debut novel took
place the same year I turned 60. (If you do the math, that makes me eleven
years older than Susan who was 48 when she appeared as a contestant on Britain's Got Talent.) But that's hardly newsworthy. Many authors get published FOR THE FIRST TIME in their 80s and 90s.
Poet Sharon Old said it best. “I was a late
bloomer. But anyone who blooms at all, ever, is very lucky.”
Amen
to that.
Are you or anyone you know a late bloomer? Please, tell us about those accomplishments. Leave a comment, and a dozen cyber red roses are yours. Come on. Be blooming brilliant!
* * *
I was a late bloomer too. Didn't have my first book published until I was a grandmother.
ReplyDeleteAnd with 30+ published books, that makes you one of the most prolific authors I know! Kudos's Marilyn. :)
DeleteI was also a late bloomer, but I don't think I could have written when I was younger. I needed some life experience. This is an excellent post, Anne, and so encouraging. It's never too late.
ReplyDeleteMarja McGraw
At 40 I realized I wanted to write. The urge and desire just happened, and I felt as if I finally had something interesting to say. I guess that means we're very similar, Marja, as to when we became writers.
DeleteAnd yes, life experience is SO important. Doing something different, new and unique makes for an interesting person - whether they write or not. :)
Include me in the group of late bloomers. Although I'd been writing for many years, on and off, I wasn't professionally published until I was 64. Thanks for the roses, Anne.
DeleteMy pleasure, Evelyn...although I must say I imagine now I'll spend the rest of the day humming the Beatles song "When I'm 64"!
DeleteAdd me to your list of late bloomers. I published some short fiction earlier, but no novels until 2009 at the young age of sixty-six. Nice blog.
ReplyDeleteDJ Swykert
www.magicmasterminds.com
Thanks, DJ. While I'm envious of writers who know from the womb that's what they want to do, I tend to think those who experience life for a few decades bring a certain flair and realism to their writing...no matter the genre!
DeleteSo glad you found my blog...I'm heading over to yours right now!